NY Giants

Don't expect to see Darren Waller on an NFL field ever again ... the former Giants star tells TMZ Sports he's thrilled with his decision to retire -- and is adamant he'll feel that way going forward.

The ex-tight end officially called it a career on Sunday ... but at 31 years old and still productive when healthy, many of his fans wondered if he really meant it.

But, when we spoke with him a couple days after he made the choice to hang up his spikes, he made it clear, he's done done.

NY Giants star Darren Waller -- who's also a musician -- is opening up on his love life, in song form, dropping a new track about failed past relationships just months after his ex, WNBA star Kelsey Plum filed for divorce.

The latest single is titled "Who Knew (Her Perspective)" ... and Waller said he wrote it from the viewpoint of a woman trying to love him.

"I’ve struggled with intimacy in romantic relationships my whole life, and I recognize the toll it has taken on the lovers I’ve been close to," the 31-year-old said on Thursday.

New contract, new whip!

Isaiah Simmons just signed a new contract with the New York Giants (1 year, $2 million) ... so the star defender treated himself to something nice, copping a brand new Tesla Cybertruck, and hookin' it up!

The 25-year-old former first-rounder out of Clemson -- the 8th overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft -- hit up Rosco Abushi, designer behind ABUSHI in Queens, New York ... for a custom wrap on his Cybertruck, the most talked about vehicle of '24.

The 'Hard Knocks' cameras are rolling long before training camp this season ... 'cause a new installment of the successful docuseries was just announced -- "Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants."

HBO honcho Casey Bloys shared the big news on Wednesday ... saying the popular show has already been following the G-Men as they prepare for the 2024-25 season.

As it turns out, the crews got to work back in January and will stay with the team through July ... meaning the show will feature the NFL combine, draft and minicamps.

Saquon Barkley's goin' in on New York fans who were irked at his presence at the 76ers vs. Knicks game in Philadelphia Thursday night, with the NFL star telling the supporters of his former team to get over him jumping ship!

"It’s been two months… lol no way ya can still be this mad! Mf can’t even go to a basketball game 😂😂😂," 27-year-old Barkley tweeted on X after he was heckled for attending the game at the Wells Fargo Center in the City of Brotherly Love, where he sat courtside with Eagles WR A.J. Brown.

Of course, Barkley -- drafted by the G-Men in 2018 -- signed with the Eagles ... the Giants hated rivals, this offseason.

Odell Beckham Jr. and the New York Giants need to reunite ... so says former DB Aaron Ross who tells us he'd "love" for the star receiver to return to the Big Apple.

"I would love that," Ross said of the 3x Pro Bowler ... who played his best professional football at the MetLife Stadium.

"From the first day he got to the Giants, that was the part that we needed since our Super Bowl run and he was amazing out there."

Former Giants offensive tackle Korey Cunningham -- who also played for the Cardinals and Patriots -- was found dead in a New Jersey home on Thursday. He was only 28.

The NYG confirmed the passing on Friday, the morning after the first round of the NFL Draft, saying they're heartbroken over the death of their former player.

"We are saddened to hear of the passing of Korey Cunningham," the G-Men said in a statement.

If the Giants select J.J. McCarthy in Thursday night's NFL draft, Aaron Ross won't be mad -- the former NY star tells TMZ Sports even though he likes Daniel Jones, he could see J.J. thriving in the Big Apple.

The G-men have pick No. 6 ... and with Jones locked into a lucrative contract, most believed they'd use the selection on a wide receiver. But, recently, there's been a lot of chatter that the team might actually choose McCarthy -- if he's available.

When we spoke to Ross hours before the league kicked off its annual selection show -- he said after mulling the question over for a few seconds he's "not opposed to it."

Saquon Barkley is trying to make peace with upset Giants fans ... saying in an emotional note to Big Blue late Thursday night that his move to the rival Eagles was simply a "business" decision.

The 27-year-old running back posted the message to his Instagram page ... two days after he spurned New York in favor of a three-year, $37.75 million deal with Philadelphia.

In his letter, Barkley thanked the Giants' org and their supporters for all the love they showed him the past six seasons ... before he seemed to explain that his move out of NY was all about dollars and cents.

"The last three days have been a whirlwind of emotions," he said, "but I wanted to take a minute to acknowledge all the Giants fans that have supported me and my family over the last six years."

"When I was drafted here," he continued, "I wanted my impact off the field to rival the accomplishments we had on it, and I can only hope that I came close to doing that."

"Ultimately the NFL is a business, and I hope that everyone can respect my decision."

The two-time Pro Bowler, of course, has received plenty of hate for leaving the Giants in free agency ... most notably from legendary tailback Tiki Barber, who said the former No. 2 overall pick was now "dead" to him.

Barkley famously clapped back on X, blasting Barber ... while adding he shouldn't be getting backlash because he "got the deal" he "wanted" from the Eagles -- not the Giants.

"You been a hater since I got to New York …," he wrote to Tiki, "and all the 'Dead to me' talk don’t smile in my face when you see me."

3:32 PM PT -- Saquon Barkley is firing back at Tiki Barber ... accusing the NYG legend of hating on him even years before he opted to leave for the rival Eagles.

"you been a hater since I got to New York," Barkley said in a message to Barber on X. "… and all the 'Dead to me' talk don’t smile in my face when you see me."

Barkley added, "lol yup you’re the prime example of loyalty to a team.. I got the deal I wanted, secured more gm which wasn’t given to me before… so if fans are gonna hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs."

Tiki Barber is furious with Saquon Barkley for leaving the New York Giants in favor of the rival Philadelphia Eagles ... saying straight up Monday, "You're dead to me!!"

The NYG legend unleashed the harsh words on WFAN's "Evan and Tiki" just minutes after it was reported that Barkley will ink a three-year deal with Philly worth around $37 million when the new NFL year kicks off later this week.

"He's dead to us now," Barber said of Barkley. "You're dead to us, Saquon."

Tiki was hardly the only Big Blue supporter livid with the move -- numerous fans sounded off all afternoon on X as well.

Even Barber's cohost on the show, Shaun Morash, threw some shade Barkley's way too.

"By the way, Philly," he said, "enjoy the nine games he'll play next year. Enjoy, Philly. Enjoy."

Barber -- who played his whole 10-year NFL career with the Giants -- wasn't just mad at Barkley over the situation, though. He also admitted that the Giants mishandled the matter -- particularly by not franchise-tagging him this year.

Barkley was on Barber's mind even before Monday's news ... as just days ago he warned the 27-year-old tailback not to sign with the Eagles ... claiming it would be an insult to the Giants' legacy.

"Go to Baltimore!" he said. "Go to Houston! Go to L.A. Chargers! Do not go to the Philadelphia Eagles because if you do, that appreciation and respect and reverence that we all have for you, Saquon, will be lost. It will be gone"

"You’re going to turn into one of those people that we hate, and we don’t want that. We don’t. We’ll respect you, but we’ll hate you, and that’s not a good thing."

Sure doesn't seem like Tiki was lying.

Saquon Barkley's playing days in New York are over ... the former Giants tailback just revealed he's signing with Philadelphia in free agency.

Barkley confirmed the news on his X page just minutes ago ... sharing two emojis of Eagles.

"Thank you to everyone who has shown me love and support over the past 6 years…," he wrote in a separate tweet. "Forever grateful! Excited for the next chapter."

According to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, Barkley will put pen to paper on a three-year, $37.75 million deal when the new league year kicks off later this week.

Saquon was taken by New York with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft ... and, outside of 2020 when he injured his knee, he's been arguably the team's biggest star.

In his six years with the team, Barkley racked up 5,211 rushing yards, 2,100 receiving yards and 47 total touchdowns.

But, his time in NY wasn't without drama -- at least when it came to contract negotiations.

Barkley made it clear last offseason he wasn't thrilled with his situation -- after the team couldn't get him a long-term deal following their franchise tag application.

Chad Wheeler -- a former New York Giants offensive lineman -- was just sentenced to 81 months in prison ... after he was convicted in November of roughing up his girlfriend during a violent encounter in 2021.

The 30-year-old learned his fate inside a King County, Wash. courtroom on Friday ... in front of some of his family and friends -- as well as the victim in the case, Alleah Taylor.

In addition to the nearly seven-year sentence, the judge also ordered Wheeler to have no contact with Taylor ... and to pay restitution as well. The sentence, according to court documents, is scheduled to begin immediately.

Wheeler was found guilty of one count of first-degree assault domestic violence back on Nov. 9 ... nearly three years after Taylor said he almost killed her during an altercation at their Washington apartment.

Taylor claimed Wheeler attacked her after she refused his orders to bow down to him. She alleged the football player grabbed her, threw her on a bed and choked her until she was unconscious.

Taylor said Wheeler was so violent, she suffered a concussion and an arm injury that required metal hardware to fix.

On Thursday night, just hours before Wheeler's sentencing took place, Taylor wrote on her X page, "Sending Chad to prison tomorrow!"

"I appreciate everyone that has supported me and the legal process to make this happen! It’s been a long road but we are finally here and finally receiving justice!"

10:45 AM PT -- Breece Hall is breaking his silence on the incident ... saying, "If you know me you know I always show love!!! There’s a time and a place for everything but harassing me at baggage claim ain’t the time or place💯."

Breece also thanked Carl and "my guy Joe" for getting involved ... adding their presence helped keep the peace.

Breece Hall came face-to-face with an overzealous autograph seeker when he touched down in Jersey after a week of partying in Vegas at the Super Bowl ... and things got so tense, NY Giants legend Carl Banks stepped in to prevent things from escalating!

The incident went down last Sunday at Newark Airport just a few minutes after the 22-year-old got off his flight, while he was waiting at baggage claim ... when a fan *attempted* to get Breece's John Hancock.

For whatever reason, Hall, one of the best running backs in the NFL, didn't want to sign, so he declined ... and that's when things went south.

A witness heard the commotion and whipped out his phone and started rolling.

It's unclear exactly what was said/done to kick things off, but the fan was heard telling Hall, "So, be a man. If you're gonna slap me, slap me!"

61-year-old Banks, the 2x Super Bowl-winning Giants linebacker intervened, putting his 6'4" frame in between the fan and Breece, while encouraging the guy to keep it moving.

But, the guy wasn't done ... he continued jawing at Hall, who seemed to keep his cool despite the stressful situation.

At one point, another witness off-camera is heard warning the angry man, "It's a federal crime if you get in a fight at the airport."

Seemingly taking the advice, the man finally walks off ... but not before hurling one last insult at the NFL star.

"Get the f*** out of here, p****!"

As for why Banks assisted Hall, we asked Carl ... #58 said he wasn't going to stand by and let his buddy get screwed with.

Who says the Giants and Jets are rivals?

10:45 AM PT -- Breece Hall rompe su silencio sobre el incidente: "Si me conoces sabes que siempre muestro amor. Hay un momento y un lugar para todo, pero acosarme en la recogida de equipajes no es el momento ni el lugar💯".

Breece también agradeció a Carl y a "mi chico Joe" por involucrarse, añadiendo que su presencia ayudó a mantener la paz.

Breece Hall se encontró cara a cara con un buscador de autógrafos demasiado entusiasta cuando aterrizó en Jersey después de una semana de fiesta en Las Vegas por el Super Bowl, y las cosas se pusieron tan tensas, ¡que la leyenda de los NY Giants, Carl Banks, intervino para evitar que las cosas pasaran a mayores!

El incidente tuvo lugar el pasado domingo en el aeropuerto de Newark, solo unos minutos después de que el joven de 22 años bajara de su vuelo, mientras esperaba en la recogida de equipajes. Fue entonces cuando un fan comenzó a pedirle un autógrafo.

Por alguna razón, Hall -uno de los mejores corredores de la NFL- no quería firmar, por lo que declinó, y ahí es cuando las cosas se pusieron feas..

Un testigo escuchó la conmoción y sacó su teléfono para grabar.

No está claro exactamente lo que se dijeron o lo que pasó en un comienzo, pero el fan le dijo a Hall: "Sé un hombre. Si vas a abofetearme, abofetéame".

Banks, de 61 años de edad, intervino, poniendole fin al problema, mientras animaba al chico a seguir adelante.

Pero, el tipo no había terminado, continuó molestando a Hall, que parecía mantener la calma a pesar de la situación estresante.

En un momento dado, otro testigo fuera de cámara se escucha advirtiéndole al hombre enojado, "Es un delito federal si te metes en una pelea en el aeropuerto".

Aparentemente, siguiendo el consejo, el hombre finalmente se marcha, pero no sin antes lanzar un último insulto a la estrella de la NFL.

"¡Lárgate de aquí, p***, ****!".

En cuanto a por qué Banks ayudó a Hall, le preguntamos y dijo que no iba a quedarse de brazos cruzados mientras molestaban a su amigo.

¿Quién dice que los Giants y los Jets son rivales?

Rick Harrison and his "Pawn Stars" crew are looking to capitalize on the Super Bowl coming to town -- their shop's hawking some championship rings from recent Super Bowls.

The good folks at Gold & Silver Pawn Shop, featured on the reality show, tell TMZ ... they're selling a Super Bowl ring from the 2007 New York Giants for $77,500.

The '07 Giants beat Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII ... ruining the Patriots' undefeated season. This SB ring was owned by a team staffer, and it's made by Tiffany & Co.

Gold & Silver Pawn shop also has a ring from the 2021 Los Angeles Rams in its possession ... and it's going for a much more affordable $20,000. The Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in LVI on the strength of a touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Cooper Kupp in the final minutes.

The Rams championship ring is also from a team staffer, and we're told it's on sale for less than the Giants ring because there are way more NYG fans than Rams fans ... and Giants SB rings historically sell for higher prices than Rams rings.

Rick tells TMZ ... they get a lot of inquiries about their sports championship rings, but interest in Super Bowl rings is always higher around the Big Game.

With Super Bowl LVIII going down in Vegas, Rick is hoping Giants and Rams fans win big money gambling this weekend. He says, "I'm guessing we might find them at our door once they wake up from celebrating Sunday night looking to own a ring from their favorite team."

Gold & Silver Pawn is also selling AFC Championship rings previously owned by NFL players ... including one from the 2011 Patriots for $32,500, and another from the 1989 Denver Broncos for $40,000.

It's worth noting ... player rings are a little different than staff rings, and player rings are more valuable, and thus, come with higher price tags.

Darren Waller is addressing all the speculation surrounding his marriage -- adamantly denying he is heading for divorce from his wife, WNBA superstar Kelsey Plum ... and explaining the recent TikTok that sparked the rumors was nothing more than some internet shenanigans.

The New York Giants tight end raised some eyebrows with his social media activity this week ... when he posted a video of himself dancing to a remixed breakup song and including the caption, "Stay strong kings!!! 🤣 #fyp #explore #men #heartbroken #music #vibes."

Some folks took the clip at face value and assumed Waller and Plum were taking a trip to Splitsville ... but TMZ Sports spoke with the Pro Bowler, and he tells us that couldn't be further from the truth.

Waller explained he was just goofing around with his sample of The Delfonics song, "Think It Over" ... and he's surprised with how people took it.

As we previously reported, Waller and Plum got hitched back in March 2023 ... at a beautiful ceremony in front of their closest friends and family.